Professional Mentoring Programme

Inspire Potential; Awaken Possibility
Professional Mentoring Programme

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Welcome to the Professional Mentoring Programme


The professional Mentoring programme matches students with a Professional Mentor – individuals from industry, alumni, non-alumni, staff members – all giving their time and knowledge to support students both undergraduate and postgraduate at the University of Plymouth. The programme is only open to current students at the University. You must be studying throughout the entirety of the programme. Unfortunately if you apply but graduate before the programme starts you will not be accepted.

Students and Mentors work together over six months with four contact points. These contact points can be face to face, telephone calls, email conversations or via an online platform such as Skype or Microsoft Teams. November will host 'Meet Your Mentor' events to aid the first meeting if applicable. 

Student applications open 6 May 2020. These will close 16 October 2020.
Have questions? Unsure if this is for you? Drop-ins and information sessions can be found on the appointment calendar on myCareer.
 

Who can apply?

Applications are open to all students in all undergraduate years. For postgraduate students the Mentoring Programme is only open to students who are studying postgraduate taught and masters courses only. Unfortunately this is not open to postgraduate research courses.

Priority matching will go to students who fall under the following groups in keeping with the University’s Widening Participation Strategic statement; care leavers, students with disabilities, mature students, black and ethnic minority students and low participation neighbourhoods to ensure we offer a full supportive package. Secondary matching will then to go all other applicants who have not been on the programme before.

 

What do I gain as a student?

Dawid Grad, 2018 programme

"The Mentoring Programme has made such a difference for me. I have learned what skills are useful to learn that could help me in pursuing my career as well as what opportunities to look out for and how to approach them. On top of that I have learned how to prepare an appropriate CV for the role I am applying. I think the best benefit for me during the programme was that I have definitely improved my confidence."

Anman Beg, 2018 programme

"My mentoring experience was a unique and extremely rewarding one, that provided me with invaluable guidance and support. My mentor was able to point me in the direction of useful resources the University offers, such as the Careers and Employability Hub for help with my CV, to applying for the university’s ambassador programme and FLUX event."

Edward Larter, 2018 programme

"My mentor and I have covered a variety of topics: Linkedin, CV's, job requirements in various sectors and this dialogue has allowed me to explore the technical requirements of a job and has made me consider what I really want to do. The mentoring programme has encouraged me to take advantage of a variety of university courses, the CV and LinkedIn sessions were invaluable."

Why be a mentor?

Nadine Mashingaidze, 2019 Mentor

"I would encourage professionals to get involved with this programme because it truly makes a difference for the students and you play a key role in their career development and give them the tools they need for employment and life."

Jamie House, 2019 Mentor

"I wanted to take part in the mentoring programme to impart my knowledge and help future generations."

Jean Almond, 2018 Mentor

"My mentee embraced the opportunities which I have highlighted to him, taking part in a range of activities to develop his skills and putting the techniques and strategies which we have discussed in our meetings into practice. I had no hesitation in introducing him to one of my contacts who has offered him a work shadowing opportunity in London over the summer."


Tom and his mentor Adam

Tom Politt 

Tom took part in the 2018 programme and is now Film Production Assistant with University of Plymouth Marketing Services​

"One huge benefit was meeting people, that is one of the best ways to get into any industry – knowing someone. If you are friendly and show willing, people will want to work with you.​ I got some work experience with my mentor and now I work in their team full-time. Without that experience and knowing the team I would have found it much harder to secure the role.​"

"I would recommend the mentoring programme to anyone and everyone, the exposure you get from people in industry is invaluable, some people pay a huge amount of money for mentoring after they have graduated, don’t let the opportunity of free mentorship pass-you-by at such a crucial stage of your development​."

Ayana and her mentor Steve

Ayana Marno

Ayana a BEng Robotics student took part in the 2018 programme.

"Steve helped me​ create a professional CV that covered everything I have​ learnt during my degree. He set up factory tours, both​ at his own workplace and another company. This helped​ me start professional networking and widen my contacts​ through my LinkedIn account which Steve helped me to create. I would not​ have had the confidence in my own knowledge and ability​ to get through interviews and put myself forward without​ this support​."

"Ayana was a great mentee, we covered networking,​ LinkedIn, CV, cover letters and job applications; we both​ benefitted from our learning and experience with new​ skills."​ Steve, Mentor

Mentee benefits | Professional Mentoring Programme

Find out about the benefits of joining the Professional Mentoring Programme and working with a professional in industry to explore your career goals and personal development.

Being a Mentor | Professional Mentoring Programme

Find out about the benefits of joining the Professional Mentoring Programme and supporting one of our students in their future career.

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